July 29, 2008

Heard Around Yankee Homecoming

by ssavage

By Melanie Graham, The Daily News of Newburyport, Mass.

Jul. 29--"Sing with me, Newburyport!" -- Shouted by one performer at the Kids Talent Showcase in Market Landing Park on Monday. The noncompetitive showcase for children of the Newburyport area featured 22 acts with performers ranging in age from first to 12th grade. The packed park had families sitting in on acts that included singing, dancing, and a string arrangement of Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence."

"POP!" -- The sound of a balloon creation popping on the ground in Inn Street after one of the children dropped his hat made by Mr. Dee, a balloon twister stationed on the Inn Street stage all day Monday. Kids of all ages lined up to get everything from flowers to hats to swords from Mr. Dee. The balloon twister, along with Mrs. Dee, will be offering balloon creations as well as face painting every day this week. Just be sure to keep the balloons off the ground. Have no fear, however, if an accident occurs, the balloon twisters will be happy to provide repairs.

"You better just beware of a man named Leroy Brown," -- Sung by Jamie Welch, a musician on the Market Square stage performing amidst the hungry crowds that formed lines at the food vendor tents on the bullnose Monday. The Jim Croce-covering guitar player was set up on the small wooden stage in Market Square as part of the day's downtown entertainment. Each day this week will feature entertainment from noon until 6 p.m., while hungry Yankee Homecoming visitors contemplate the difficult decision on whether to snack on fried dough, kettle corn, hot dogs, ice cream or chowder.

"Is it five dollars? I'll take it." -- An antique shopper made a purchase for her soon-to-be grandchild at the 45th annual antique show and sale at the Belleville Congregational Church. The show and sale, which featured more than 50 antique dealers, packed the church wall-to-wall with two floors of antique jewelry, post cards, furniture china, dresses and more. Some dealers even spilled out onto the lawn of the church. For the $4 entrance fee, antiquers could not only enjoy the memorabilia but also a luncheon in the basement of the church.

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